If you’ve ever done FIFO work, you know the drill. Long days. Hot sun. Dry skin. Heavy boots. Dust that gets in your lungs and under your fingernails. But honestly, it’s not the shifts that wear you out — it’s the back-and-forth. The constant packing, flying, unpacking, and trying to squeeze in some kind of “normal” during your days off.
And that’s where the Essentials Hoodie and Essentials Tracksuit have come in. Not as some fashion trend — I couldn’t care less about labels. But because after two weeks of sweating in steel-caps and orange shirts, all I want is something that fits, breathes, and makes me feel like I’ve actually come home.
Perth Airport to Paraburdoo to Peace & Quiet
I fly out of Perth usually — early Monday mornings, half-asleep, juggling my gear and a coffee. The airport’s full of guys like me. We all look the same in work kits and tired eyes. But the moment I’m off-shift and heading home, the high-vis comes off, and the Essentials Hoodie goes on.
First thing I pull from the duffel? That hoodie. Navy blue. Size L. Feels like switching gears — like my body gets the message: “Mate, you can relax now.”
Why I Rate It So Highly (Even If I Don’t Talk About Clothes)
I’m not one to talk brands. If something fits and doesn’t fall apart, that’s good enough. But I’ll give it to this set — it goes the distance.
- The hoodie holds up, even after airport lounges, red-eye flights, and airport burrito spills.
- The trackies aren’t sloppy — they’ve got shape. I’ve worn them to meet my mates at the pub in Mandurah without looking like I just woke up.
- It washes clean, even when my daughter smears chocolate on it. No dramas.
- It fits the way I like — no tugging, no riding up, no oversized sleeves.
It’s simple, yeah. But that’s the point.
My Wife Loves It Too — Mostly Because I Stop Stealing Her Jumpers
When I’m home, I want to be present. Not fussing about what to wear, not fiddling with itchy tags or swapping outfits before heading to Coles. The Essentials Tracksuit gear stays on from breakfast to beers.
My wife reckons it’s the first hoodie I’ve owned that she’s tempted to nick for herself. So I got her one too. She wears it on our early morning walks along the Fremantle foreshore — both of us in hoodies, takeaway coffee in hand, toddler in the pram, not saying much. Just being.
That’s what it gives us. A bit of peace.
From Camp to Couch, It’s My Reset Switch
There’s a weird thing that happens when you live between work sites and home. You lose a sense of place. Sometimes I don’t even unpack my bag properly. But the moment I put the hoodie on, I remember: you’re not at work now.
It’s seen:
- Airport delays in Karratha
- Power outages in Kalgoorlie
- Couch naps in Rockingham
- The school runs in Joondalup
- Even a last-minute family dinner at my mum’s in Bunbury
It’s not trying to look sharp. But it never looks out of place.
A Word on Fit: Not Too Tight, Not Too Baggy
I hate fussy clothes. The Essentials set just works. The hoodie’s got enough room to breathe, but doesn’t look like I’m wearing a tent. The tracksuit bottoms sit right on the hips — no pulling, no sagging. They taper just enough at the ankle that I can wear them with sneakers and not look like I’m stuck in 2003.
When I’ve got one day to rest, I don’t want to spend time thinking about what to wear. This is grab-and-go. No stress.
Real Comfort for Real Aussies
I’ve seen blokes wear this hoodie down in Esperance, all the way up through Broome, and everywhere in between. I’ve had conversations in mine — with mates, with strangers at the servo, even with the bloke next to me on a red-eye flight who said, “That hoodie looks comfy, hey.”
I said, “It is. That’s why I haven’t taken it off all week.”
Final Say
I don’t write reviews. This isn’t a paid gig. It’s just that when something works this well — when it actually earns its place in the tiny carry bag I live out of every second week — it’s worth mentioning.
The Essentials Hoodie and Essentials Tracksuit aren’t flash. But they’re solid. Reliable. Like the mates who don’t talk much but show up every time.
And after the chaos of shift work, the noise of camp, the cold mornings back home — having one thing that makes your body go, “You’re safe, you’re off, you’re home”… That’s not just comfort.
That’s essential.
